padded



(No Model.)

J. J. PADDEN.

Oar Coupling.

No. 232,411. Patented Sept. 21,1880.

- Ijfrenor John PaJzZen NPEFERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHWGTOM D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. PADDEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOH OF ONE-HALF O F HIS RIGHT TO JAMES P. PADDEN, OF SAME PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 232,411, dated September 2 1, 1880.

Application filed April 13, 1880. (N model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. PADDEN, of Chicago, Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gar-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a car-coupler which shall be self-operatin g in the coupling of cars, and which shall allow them to be uncoupled easily and expeditiously with- 1 0 out imposing in either case the necessity of an operator going between the cars for the purpose.

The invention is illustrated in detail in the drawings.

Figure 1 is a top view. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal transverse section, and Fig. 4 is an end view of the device.

Similar letters indicate similar parts in the differentfigures.

A is an ordinary draw-bar, attached in the usual manner to a car. B is a draw-head in which the link is inserted which couples the cars. 0 is the pin which passes through and secures the link. The upper end of this pin passes through a cross-piece, and is secured therein by a nut. In the outer extremites of this cross-piece are also secured the upper ends of two guide-rods, c c, which pass downward through suitable openings 0 c in the drawhead, and are secured to a similar cross-piece at their lower extremities. The guide-rods c c and the cross-pieces thus form a rigid frame, which moves up and down freely in the openings in the draw-head, the pin C projecting downward from the upper cross-piece, and being a sufficient length to pass through and secure the coupling-link when the frame is permitted to drop toits lowest position, and when raised to entirely clear the same, the guidingrods being made of the proper length to secure this result.

D is a movable metal block secured in the rear'extension of the cavity in the draw-head provided for the insertion of the coupling-link immediately back of the opening through which the pin 0 drops into the draw-head, made so as to play freely backward and forward within a fixed limit, and capable of pro- 50 jectin g into the link-cavity,and when so doing coming directly under the opening through which the pin (3 drops, the pin 0 thus resting upon and being sustained by it. In the rear of this block is a spring, d, which operates upon it, pressing it forward so that when not restrained it projects into the link-cavity, as stated. Projections upon the sides of the block, strikingin its movements against shoulders provided in the sides of the chamber, regulate the distance through which it can move.

E is a lever pivoted at its fulcrum to the lower side of the draw-head and at its extremity to the lower cross-bar of the frame carryin g the link-pin, and by which the frame and thus the pin can be raised.

e is a device projecting to the sides of the car by which the lever is operated. In the upper end of the link-pin is an eye provided for the attachment of a chain designed to extend and be fastened to the top of the car, by means of which a person on the top of the car can raise the link-pin and uncouple the cars.

F is an ordinary device for attaching the draw-head to the draw-bar. When ready for use the frame with the link-pin is raised, and the block D, being pressed forward by the spring 01, projects into the link-cavity under the pin 0, supportingit and the frame. When the car carryingthe draw-head described comes in contact with the car to which itis designed to be coupled, the link, being in the latter car, enters the link-cavity, as denoted by the dotted lines in the drawings, and, striking the block D, presses it back beyond and from under the link-pin, and being thus left without support the pin with the frame to Whichit is attached drops by the weight of itself and the frame, the guide-rods c c sliding through the openings in the draw-head,and the pin thus passes through and secures the link. When it is desired to uncouple the car the pin is raised, as already stated, by means of the chain extending to the top of the car or by the lever E. This lever is operated by the device 6, which consists of an iron rod extending across and 5 under the car, secured in bearings and bent at its extremities and at its middle to form a crank at each of these points, that at the middle impinging upon the end of the lever E, so that a person standing at the side of the car, by pressing upon the crank-shaped extremity, will press down the lever and raise the link-pin.

Various devices to accomplish this purpose will suggest themselves to the mind of any mechanic, this being described as one of many.

In draw-heads made in accordance with this specification the link will be so supported that it will enter the draw-head of another car without guidance, thus saving the necessity of any person going between the cars, and so avoiding danger and accidents which would other- Wise frequently occur.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to seeure'by Letters Patent, is-

In a car-coupling, the combination of the guide-rods c 0, connected by cross-pieces at top and bottom, the link-pin O, the block D, spring 61, the lever E. running back under the center of the car and pivoted thereto at its fulcrum, and the rod 0, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

T. S. E. DIXON, PLINY B. SMITH. 

